Cotton or Polyester? And is there a difference when it comes to work wear?

May 23 2013

We get asked this all the time, which is not surprising because when it comes to work wear the type of fabric which you wear, all day, every day can make a really big difference. We supply a wide range of different fabrics, styles, colours and brands, so we understand that the choice can sometimes be daunting. Two very popular fabrics for work clothes are a poly-cotton blend and 100% cotton. Both are good for work wear, but it depends what you are wanting.

So, lets begin with the basics, a poly-cotton blend is a fabric that is made up of cotton and polyester fibres, who would of guessed it. The ratio varies from, but generally its 65% cotton and 35% polyester.

So the advantages of cotton is that its breathable, which is perfect if you are working in hot conditions. However like most material, as the thickness increases the breath ability decreases. Another disadvantage is that 100% cotton tends to rip and wear out easily, depending on the weave. From a safety aspect, if the cotton has not been treated for fire-resistance then cotton fibres will burn away whereas polyester will melt.

Work wear

Polo Top

Polyesters’ biggest flaw is that it is not breathable, and once perspiration begins is has a tendency to stick to the skin. A group of complaining, sweaty workers, is the last thing anyone wants. However polyester is a more elastic fibre compared to cotton, so therefore tends to be tear resistant and have a longer durability. Cost is always a factor when buying work clothing, and we usually find polyester is considerably cheaper than 100% cotton.

Poly-cotton blend combines the advantages of both cotton and polyester, making poly cotton garments breathable and tear resistant. Poly-cotton blends are very popular for work wear not only because combining the two advantages but also because of price. Although it will not be as cheap as pure polyester, generally poly-cotton blends cost less than 100% cotton garments.

We understand the choices can be difficult, but there is no simply answer it’s just dependant on personal preference and work environment. If the work is in a an outdoor setting, particularly in hot climates, 100% cotton fabric is probably more favourable, however I the work is indoors around machinery, the tear-resistance of poly-cotton would be a better choice. Another point is some people can have sensitive skin and find the polyester itchy due to the way the fabric is treated.

We hope this article has helped a very confusing subject, any questions please feel free to get in contact.

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Embroidered and Printed Workwear

Feb 21 2013

Buying Guide for Personalised Workwear 

At DS Safety, we provide 3 different types of personalisation. These are embroidery, heat pressed vinyl and heat pressed vinyl transfer.  The type of personalisation as well as the type of garment that you want it on will dictate which type is most suitable. The most common examples are outlined below, but don’t hesitate to get in touch if you feel you still need help

1         I just want basic text on to the front left breast of my polo shirts and fleeces etc. What type of personalisation should I choose?

Embroidery is perfectly suitable for front left breast text application of polo shirts, t-shirts, fleeces, sweatshirts and shirts etc; our standard price allows you up to 3 lines, so you may wish to include the name of your business, a telephone number and a website address.  Heat pressed vinyl is also an option.

2         Can you embroider on to an outer garment for example high visibility clothing?

Yes, we can embroider on to waterproof  clothing, but when it rains, it will compromise the waterproofing of  the garment. Not only will there be thousands of tiny holes punched into it but also the thread will soak up water like a sponge and a damp patch will start to spread outwards from the embroidery. It is far better to use vinyl heat press.

3         How does vinyl heat press work?

Your text is put on to a computer and from there is created in waterproof vinyl by our Versacamm printer and cutter. The garment and the vinyl is then laid on to our press and pressed together at a temperature of around 160 degrees Centigrade. This has very long lasting results, and your jacket will still keep you dry! Some people prefer the clean, sharp lines of heat pressed vinyl to the more textured, satin look of embroidery. If that is the case, vinyl is versatile enough to be applied to most garments, although it does not look quite so good on fleeces. It does still have long lasting results but the pile of the fleece can show up underneath the vinyl.

4         I also want some text on the rear of my tops – should it be embroidered or heat pressed?

As rear text is usually bigger, we recommend heat pressed vinyl rather than embroidery. This is because the tens of thousands of stitches that make up a rear embroidery will make the garment rather heavy and weigh it down, thus making it quite uncomfortable to wear. Heat pressed vinyl will not affect the wearability of the garment. However, this is a recommendation only; we are happy to embroider on to the rear of a garment if that is your preference. This will be priced individually, depending on the size of the embroidery.

5         I want my company logo on my workwear. What choices do I have?

A logo can be done either in embroidery or using a heat pressed transfer. For both these processes we will require you to email us a high resolution image (minimum of 300 dpi). We accept most formats, eg  jpeg, gif, eps, tiff or pdf. If you choose to have your logo embroidered, we will have it digitised in order to turn it into stitches. For this there is a one off set-up charge. Your embroidery will then stay on our system, so that you can re-order whenever you require more personalisation. We don’t normally charge any set-up fee for producing your logo in vinyl, unless we have to rework or refine your artwork if your image is not to the required standard. Again embroidery is suitable for all garments except outer wear and vinyl is suitable for all except fleeces.

5         I don’t have my logo in an electronic format. Can you still help me?

Yes we can; just get in touch and talk to our sales team.  Even a business card or an old item of personalised clothing can be sufficient for us.

6         Can I choose any text font and colours?

Our system holds hundreds of different fonts and our embroidery threads come in a rainbow of colours. We can also achieve an exact match to a Pantone shade in both embroidery and vinyl .

7         Do you only personalise workwear?

Not at all. If you have a special occasion that would benefit from personalised clothing we are happy to help, be it a birthday, a stag or hen party, sponsorship for a sporting event, or a memento for school or college leavers.

8         Is there a minimum order quantity?

There is no minimum order quantity; we take as much care over just one item as we do for a large order.

9         What about items other than clothing such as bags, baseball caps and beanies.

We can embroider many different types of item including baseball caps , beanies, towels, epaulettes and ties. Bags can be either embroidered or heat pressed depending upon the suitability of the style. We have even heat pressed umbrellas.

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Buying Safety Footwear

Jan 10 2013

Buying Guide for Safety Footwear

1         I need a steel toecap boot but this one is described as composite. Can I buy it?

Don’t be put off if an item of footwear is described as “composite”. The composite toecap and midsole was initially introduced for industries in which the wearer had to routinely go through metal detectors, in order to save the trouble of removing footwear. It is typically made of a dense carbon fibre and conforms to the same safety regulations as its steel counterpart. It also has the added advantage of being lighter to wear so is very  suitable for most workplaces

2         What is a protective midsole?

When a boot or shoe is described as having a steel or composite protective midsole, it means that there is a plate within the sole of the footwear that will resist penetration by a sharp object eg a nail sticking up from a piece of wood. Many workplaces now insist that these boots/shoes are worn on site and it is a worthwhile protection given the very slight extra cost involved.

3         Should I spend more money in order to buy “Branded Safety Footwear”?

The big brands, eg Caterpillar, DeWalt and Doc Martens, to name just a few, will conform to the same safety regulations as the cheaper non-branded styles of the same specification. It doesn’t necessarily follow that they will last any longer but they often have more padding and a more stylish exterior and possibly a higher degree of comfort.  However there is no reason to spend too much if your budget is restricted – our lowest priced, leather, steel toecap and midsole safety boot is less than £15 and is fully compliant with safety regulations.

4         Some footwear is described as “antistatic” What does this mean?

This means that it will allow any static electricity that builds up in the body to dissipate, thus avoiding those unpleasant “static shocks” that sometimes occur.  It does not refer to the type of footwear required to be worn in “clean rooms” which due to a highly flammable environment needs to be “conductive footwear”

5         Should I choose a Safety Shoes or Safety boots?  

This is entirely up to personal preference. Some people prefer the feeling of stability to the ankle that is given by a boot style but a safety shoe or safety trainer will equally comply with safety regulations.

6         What are Rigger Boots?

 A Rigger Boot is a slip on, tan or brown coloured, mid-calf length safety boot, traditionally used on oil rigs but has risen in popularity and is now commonplace on most building sites due to the ease of taking on and off. Most have a steel midsole as well as toecap, there are also composite versions (though these tend to be a bit more expensive) and they are often fur lined. In recent years there has been some controversy over the suitability of these boots, due to the lack of padding and support at the ankle, which has given rise to rumours that they will be banned from sites. This has not occurred, although some site managers do not allow their workers to wear them.

7         Can I get ladies safety footwear?

Most ranges of safety shoes and boots are considered to be unisex and will be offered in sizes 3-13, therefore fitting both men and ladies. If the style only ranges from 6-13, this is considered to be a mans style and may be a little too wide/long for ladies to wear comfortably. However, due to the rise in the number of ladies working in environments where safety footwear is essential, there is a steadily increasing range of ladies only safety footwear, in sizes 3-8, with a standard ladies width fitting. They are also styled to be a little more feminine and lighter to wear.

8         What level of safety footwear is required in the catering Industry?

Depending on the environment, you may or may not need to have a safety toecap, but most catering and medical establishments require a non-slip sole, such as the type offered by the ABS range, Crocs or Toffeln. These soles are specially formulated to be resistant to slipping on ceramic and steel floors. A clog style can also be worn but most managers now insist on them having a back strap, which usually incorporates some elastic, so it doesn’t have to be unbuckled.

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Safety clothing vital as Olympics fever leads to cycling accidents

Sep 15 2012

The Olympics has had a profound effect on the country, with many cyclists taking to the streets to, however there has been a massive 50 percent rise in accidents involving bikes.

The increase in cyclists on the road has been fuelled by those like Tour de France winner, Bradley Wiggins.  He also won the Olympic gold for the men’s time trial.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham have launched a cycle safety campaign, in conjunction with Halfords and safety charity RoSPA.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage motorists and cyclists to take more care on the roads and makes the point clear that protective clothing such as helmets, safety boots and high-visibility clothing are a must.

Around 100 people attended the first clinic yesterday and Margaret Garbett, the hospital trust’s matron for A&E, said she was delighted with the turnout.

“We really feel passionately about this. Over the last two months we have seen minor injuries, such as cuts and broken bones, and some very serious injuries, including four fatalities.

The majority of those patients were not wearing protective equipment such as helmets or brightly-coloured clothing.

Cycling is a great sport and we actively encourage our staff and the public to keep fit by cycling but, first and foremost, we want people to be safe on their bikes.

We hope our campaign will encourage cyclists to wear protective equipment and clothing, to ride safely on the roads. We also hope motorists will be more aware of cyclists when they are driving.”

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Workers forced to pay for Safety Boots

Aug 01 2012

The Trades Union Congress (TUC ), has announced that one in five workers are being forced by employers to pay for their own safety boots and shoes and safety workwear (PPE), which is a flagrant breach of the law.

The law requires that employers must provide all Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including hard hats, goggles and waterproofs free of charge to employees.  They are also required to check it is kept in good working order and repair.

However, 11.6% of respondents to a TUC survey said that although they needed PPE to work safely, their management completely failed to provide it.

Additionally, 8.9% were made to pay to replace their damaged PPE, even though employers legally have a requirement to do this.

In total, more than one in five, who responded to the survey said they had to replace some or all of the necessary safety boots and equipment.

Steve Murphy, General Secretary of the construction union Ucatt said:

“Unfortunately in construction businesses and employment agencies try to cut costs by forcing workers to purchase their own PPE.

This is both illegal and has serious safety implications…”

DS Safety offer a great range of safety boots and safety workwear, so make sure you do not get caught the wrong side of the law and order now!

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Safety Boots News: New global PPE launched

Mar 29 2012

Welcome to the latest news from DS Safety – Safety Boots and Safety Workwear specialists.

A new product has been launched to keep railway workers safe, especially those working trackside.  The new product brings protective clothing into the 21st century.

The new clothing products help others see workers when there there are poor light conditions or it is dark.

This means that railway workers and those who work in other dark conditions can not only be seen when there is no other light around but can also see where they are walking too.

The clever technology works as follows:

“Fhoss Technology® has combined the traditional reflective tape with an electroluminescent core that sits behind the semi-transparent tape and actively emits light. Therefore when light is not available the tape emits light as if it were reflecting it…”

Standard high visibility clothing works differently, as it collects light and then reflects it back at the source of the light.

While this might sound like a miracle product, it does require a tiny power source, which is a mini-rechargeable powercell.  This allows 12 hours constant usage and is located in a small pocket.

The high visibility product also has an anti-entanglement system which allows the products to be safely removed should it become trapped and potentially be lifesaving.

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Safety Boots News: Dickies to sponsor awards

Mar 19 2012

Welome to the latest blog from DS Safety  - Safety Boots and High Visibility Clothing.

It has been announced that Dickies Workwear will be one of the sponsors at the prestigious “Professional Clothing Awards” at this years “Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show” on 17th and 18th April, at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Dickies is now known as the number one manufacturer of workwear across the world, and maintains the highest standards of both safety, comfort and durability.

The exciting new range of Dickies PPE products will also be exhibited offering wearers maximum protection, while maintaining comfort and range of vision at all times. The new range includes: Showa Gloves, Gel Knee Pads, Goggles, Safety Helmets, Bump Caps, a range of Safety Spectacles, Ear Defenders and Ear Plugs, Safety Helmet and Visor kits, Respirators, Disposable Respirators as well as some fantastic new additions to its Safety Footwear and Safety Boot range.

Everyone at DS Safety is very much looking forward to the new range of products from Dickies and you can be safe in the knowledge that we will continue to be your one-stop shop for Dickies and many other ranges too!

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Safety Boots News: Spring on its way – but be prepared!

Mar 11 2012

Welcome to the latest blog from DS Safety – Safety Boots & High Visibility Clothing.

it looks like we’re set for spell of decent weather across the country this week – will be good to see the sun at last, however we are by no means clear of the severe weather this season, so it’s important to be prepared on both a personal level and at work or on the construction site.

After a spell of bad weather, it is crucial to assess your work area, especially conditions underfoot and above, to take into account any new risks that may now pose to workers.

Staying safe in bad weather is very important for obvious reasons – many slips, trips and falls occur because of a sudden change in underfoot and weather conditions, so it is vitally important to ensure you have the correct safety boots and safety clothing available.

DS Safety has been supplying safety footwear for over 25 years. During this period our range of products has increased to include all areas of personal protection. These have been supplied to Local Authorities, Hospitals, Construction Companies, Educational Establishments, Tradesmen and many others. All of our products conform to the appropriate British and European legislation.

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Get your Safety Clothing & Safety Boots in order for BST!

Mar 07 2012

Thanks for joining us again at DS Safety – Safety Boots, Safety Clothing and High Visibility Clothing.

The clocks will be going forward on 25th March to British Summer Time (BST) – however the day that drowsy drivers lose an hour’s sleep actually results in an increase in road accidents during of around 15 percent!

Driver drowsiness is compared on the same scale to jet lag at times, given this shock increase in accidents.  With more and more vehicles using our already overcrowded roads and ever increasing amount of roadworks (especially towards the end of the financial year), this is a crucial time for safety boots and safety workwear.

It is vital that high visibility work clothing is kept clean and replaced where damaged, and this message is clear to all in construction, rail and road industries given the safety risks that many workers are expected to deal with.

The message is clear, if you are driving, make sure you are feeling fresh and awake before you get behind the wheel and if you are working in a position requiring safety clothing and safety boots, make sure your equipment is clean and functional.

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Safety Boots News: The Uniform Argument

Feb 29 2012

Thanks for joining us again at DS Safety – Safety Boots, Safety Workwear and High Visibility Clothing specialists.

In recent times brand awareness is a huge part of a customers decision to make a purchase or not, and a uniform, including safety boots and safety clothing is a large part of the brand.  This can be part of the decision as to whether or not a customer makes that purchase or not.

The image that your staff portray needs to be sending a consistent message.  Getting your team to input into uniform is important to ensure pride in wearing and maintaining, while all the time ensuring that the safety purpose of any uniform and safety boots.

Uniforms have over recent years evolved to be more suited to the purpose they are provided for in terms of safety, practicality and comfort.

Also, the importance of using uniforms to market a business has created the force behind brand awareness and only improves customer perception, so take a look at our safety boots and safety workwear now.

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